It is that time of year where the sun is shining, the temperature is creeping up and you want to find ways to cool off. I know that this time of year I like to come up with refreshing snack ideas to help beat the heat. These recipes are kid friendly as well, so grab your youngster and give them a try!

Frozen Fruit

There are so many different fruit items that you can freeze. You may have heard of freezing your grapes. That is a easy and delicious treat. Simply wash the grapes, dry them and then place them in the freezer. They are so cold and refreshing. You can also freeze watermelon slices. Cut your watermelon, remove the rind and then place in the freezer. This is super easy and totally delicious. This is a great alternative to a popsicle. Don't get me wrong, you can still enjoy a popsicle, but this will be a healthier option.

Fruit Pizza

Start with your crust. This can be anything ... a tortilla, pita or flatbread. You can choose a whole wheat version for a healthy twist. Then top with your "sauce" which in this case is a yogurt. Pick your favorite flavor, plain, vanilla or flavored. Then top with whatever toppings you think sounds good. You can add nuts (almonds), sliced fruit (kiwi, apples, bananas), any type of berry or grape, coconut, chocolate chips or granula. The list can go on and on. Then enjoy! Making your own fruit pizza can be that simple! This can make a great snack or even part of your meal.

Fresh Veggie Salad

This is a great recipe for a summer, vegetable salad, because you can add whatever produce you have available. Don't feel like you have to follow the recipe. Use veggies that you like and you think sound good together. I love this dish because it uses beans as the protein source, which is cheap and delicious. This is also a colorful salad. Keep that in mind as you are choosing what veggies you want to include. Reach for items that are colorful. Aim to eat the rainbow!

Grilled Veggie Kabobs

I am a sucker for grilled vegetables. It is my favorite way to eat veggies in the summer time. I love how fresh they are and now over cooked when on the grill. This Kabob recipe looks amazing. It uses corn, sausage, green peppers, onions. These veggies are coated in Italian dressing and then sprinkle mustard powdered over them. This is a fun way to spice up your grilled vegetables and try something new.

Hopefully you are able to try some of these tasty treats this summer. Find some new recipes and try to my food. There is so much fresh produce that will be in season and tastes delicious this time of year! Happy Cooking!

I had the opportunity to work with the American Diabetes Association of Indianapolis again to put on a TV segment on the Hamilton County TV station located in Noblesville. We got together on Tuesday morning for a live interview focused on Summer Produce. I thought this would be a great topic, because now that summer is here in full force, we have tons of great produce items in the grocery store and at your local Farmer's Market. Everything tastes so much different when it is fresh.

On the TV segement I showed some recipes and I wanted to make sure that you all had those available to you if you wanted to try them at home.

Recipes

Make sure you give these recipes a try and if you are heading to this Farmer's Market this week or going to the grocery, try some of these new recipes.

If you missed the TV segment and are curious as to why I highlighted some of these recipes then check out some information below about the nutritional value of Beets, Tomatoes, and Peaches.

Beets

Colorful vegetable that is often underutilized and overlooked. This deep red veggie is special because you can technically consumer the whole plant. The beet greens (leaves) can be cooked like a spinach or swiss chard. The fruit of the beets (the red portion) can be cooked as well and has been used throughout history as a sugar source.
Beets can help to lower your blood pressure and this benefit comes from the nitrates that are found in this produce. The nitrate is converted to nitric oxide which helps to relax/dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow and decreasing your blood pressure.
There are high levels of folate found in beets and this can be a great whole food source of this nutrient for pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects.

Tomatoes

Are they really a fruit or a vegetable? That is always the debate. Either way they are full of lycopene which helps your body to fight off free radicals.
Tomatoes are full of fiber and this can be helpful for diabetic patients. The fiber helps to fill you up during a meal/snack. The fiber also helps with lower blood glucose levels. If you are wondering how much fiber is in 1 cup of cherry tomatoes ... 2g of fiber. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it does add up over time.

Peaches

Are ready for consumption during May through September. You can tell that your peach is ripe when you can smell it from a distance. When you touch the peach, it feels soft and not too firm.
The bright yellow/orange color of the peach signifies they high amounts of Vitamin C that it has along with Vitamin A for eye sight. The skin of the peach is where all the fiber is located. These nutrients and antioxidants help to protect your cells and prevent cellular damage.

There are tons of more great summer produce that I highlight in the TV segment, which I will post to my website after the show. Make sure to check it out. Don't forget to try some new produce this summer and take advantage of the all the health benefits these delicious foods have to offer!